Wildcats Earn Top-25 Win, Roll Past No. 25 UNOH, 3-0

LIMA, Ohio – A pair of goals in the final stages of the match garnished a top-25 win for the Baker men's soccer team as the Wildcats knocked off No. 25 Northwestern Ohio, 3-0 in the first game of the UNOH College Soccer Showcase here Thursday morning in Lima, Ohio.

Fin Gaywood's goal in the 29th minute broke open the scoring for the Wildcats, who have now scored at least three goals in all three of their matches to start the year. Yushann Malcolm added a much-needed insurance goal in the 77th while Noah Tipene's goal a few minutes later served as the cherry on top for BU's first road victory of the season.

Before running away with things late in the match, it was the BU defense that was put to the test in the first half, weathering a Racers attack that tallied eight shots and forced the Wildcats to defend a handful of set pieces. The Racers earned four corner kicks and had a couple of dangerous free-kick opportunities set up around the penalty box, but the Wildcats held strong to keep the Racers off the scoreboard.

In the 29th minute, Kamaras was able to find a slashing Gaywood in the box and the freshman midfielder knocked in his first goal as a Wildcat to give Baker a 1-0 lead. It was third assist of the season for Kamaras who now has a team-high 13 points along with five goals.

Looking for an equalizer before halftime, UNOH fired off the last of its first-half barrage in the final minute of play, but Baker keeper Michael Stoeger was there to corral his fourth save of the opening period.

In the second half, it looked like the Racers offense was picking up right where it left off as they launched a couple of shots within the first few minutes after the restart, but the Wildcats' defense hung tough and stonewalled the hosts by holding them without a shot for the rest of the match.

Heading into the final 15 minutes of play, a corner kick opportunity allowed for Baker to increase its lead as Mo Salas' entry found a soaring Malcolm whose header gave the Wildcats a two-goal cushion.

Then, Tipene delivered the final blow just a few minutes later as he found the back of the net in the 82nd minute off of a ball from Tony Salas to cap the 3-0 victory for BU.

Kamaras led the Baker attack with three shots, one of which came on goal, while Carter Bradshaw provided a nice lift off the bench and added a couple of shots in the second half. For the Salas brothers, they now have contributed to almost a third of Baker's goals this year with a combined five assists in 2023.

The Wildcats continue with the UNOH College Soccer Showcase with a matchup against Cumberlands (Ky.) on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 12:30 p.m. (CT) in Lima, Ohio.

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